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Northfield police chief takes leave after heroin flap

Northfield Police Chief Gary Smith called a news conference July 3 to talk about what he said was a major problem with heroin use in the community.

He said then that as many as 250 current and former Northfield High School students could be involved -- some feeding heroin habits of as much as $800 a day.

In the days following that news conference, school officials and others said the chief was greatly overstating the problem. A drug counselor says she is aware of 50-60 kids in the community who use heroin, either regularly or occasionally.

Northfield city administrator Al Roder says Chief Smith requested a leave of absence, and his request was granted Monday.

Roder says data privacy law prevents him from saying why the chief requested a leave, or how long he will be away from his job.